The Report Card

The Report Card

The Report Card issues grades A through F, and incompletes where necessary, to a variety of news items in this space.

Got an idea that makes the grade? Send it to JBuchanan@CITIZEN-TIMES.com

Reader grades

A to Peter Hartwick on his excellent opinion piece on Social Security (Jan. 11 AC-T) and to the person responsible for the large, eye-catching heading.

Evelyn Jarrett, Marshall

F to the Asheville Citizen-Times for discontinuing the weekly congressional voting record. Voters today, more than ever, need to see the summary of the bills that were voted on by our state and federal legislators and how they voted for them. It was an important part of the Sunday edition and should be resumed.

Jim Hartje, Otto

Staff grades

A to the service of Buncombe County Board of Education Communications director Jan Blunt, who announced last week that she would be leaving at the end of the month to pursue a master's degree full time. Blunt operated as a consummate professional in a key post that keeps the public informed on a vast array of the public's business, from tracking progress of students in school to keeping the public up to date on more urgent matters such as school lockdowns, weather alerts and more. We agree with the comments of superintendent Tony Baldwin, who said: "She's one of the most dedicated employees I've ever worked with. She's been one of this school system's best ambassadors. She's been our best defender for the integrity of this school system." We further second the comments of board member Dusty Pless, who said "I've got maybe five or 10 people who I consider to be truly top notch people. She's one of them. It's a true loss to the system."

F to board member Lisa Baldwin's assessment of Blunt's performance, and to the venue in which she chose to make those comments - during employee recognition. Ditto her vote against hiring new a communications director and saying she opposed filling the position at all. Lunch menus, school calendars, explanations of the state's ever-changing testing protocols, athletic event schedules, relaying school safety plans to the public, etc. ad infinitum, don't write themselves. Those are the challenges a communications director faces every day. Add in more serious issues - a teacher facing charges of misconduct or a tragedy involving a student - where information must be relayed to the public, and it's clear this isn't just a necessary job, it's a 24/7 job as well. And Blunt has left very large shoes to fill.

D to the news that for the first time, the majority of members of the U.S. Congress are millionaires. In and of itself it is not, of course, a bad thing that at least 268 of the 534 current representatives and senators have done well for themselves. However, it goes without saying that more than half of the people making our laws probably have very little concept of the challenges facing the vast majority of their constituents. Also, individual success isn't translating very well into institutional success. The Pew Research Center noted last month that the current Congress was the least productive ever. It's no coincidence it's also been rated as the least popular ever.

A to free tax preparation programs beginning next month. The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, in cooperation with the IRS N.C. Dept. of Revenue, Buncombe County Library System and Council on Aging Inc. will again offer free tax preparations for taxpayers with low- and moderate-income with special attention to those age 60 and older. This service will be available from Feb. 1 through April 15. Tax aide sites include Pack Library, West Asheville Library and Weaverville Public Library. Taxpayers should bring the following documents: photo ID for taxpayer and spouse; Social Security cards or equivalent for all taxpayers and dependents; previous year's (2012) income tax return; W-2 forms from each employer; 1099 forms for income from Social Security, Pension, Interest, Dividends, Brokers/Mutual Funds, Miscellaneous Income, Gambling Winnings (Form W-2G) and any other income; a detailed list and receipts for Medical Expenses, Charitable Contributions, Real Estate Taxes and Mortgage Interest (Form 1098), if you are claiming itemized expenses; any other tax forms or information for both income and expenses; and a voided check for direct deposit of any refund to your checking or savings account. To learn more go to http://bit.ly/1j3Qqan; questions and requests for homebound individuals can be directed to The Council on Aging of Buncombe County, 277-8288.

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The Report Card

A to Peter Hartwick on his excellent opinion piece on Social Security (Jan. 11 AC-T) and to the person responsible for the large, eye-catching heading.